Samantha Stosur advances at home Grand Slam

Samantha Stosur has overcome the challenge of Klara Zakopalov 6-3 6-4 to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

© Getty Images

The 2011 US Open champion made a positive start to the clash, breaking at the first opportunity to open up a two-game advantage.

Zakopalov rallied and broke back later in the set, but Stosur eventually won through.

In the second set it appeared that a decider was going to be required when Zakopalov took a 4-1 lead.

However, the home favourite responded by winning the next five games to book her place in the next round, where she will face either Sydney International winner Tsvetana Pironkova or Silvia Soler-Espinosa.